Doctors say a 24-year-old sanctuary bear in Arizona is recovering from successful surgery to remove a cancerous testicle.

The Daily Courier reported Wednesday that Shash, an American black bear, went to the vet after he had been acting differently and not eating.

Doctors placed Shash under sedation to get a better look at his overall condition and found he had an enlarged testicle. He had been diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, which was managed successfully with regular medications.

Doctors decided to remove the testicle but were prepared to euthanize if surgery wasn't going well.

Doctors did not find any additional infection or issues with the exception of his known liver tumor.

Shash arrived at Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary in 1994 at 3-months-old after a hunter accidentally shot his mother.

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Most encounters between bears and humans are brief and end without incident. Here are some things that are good to know if you ever encounter a bear in Arizona. Edited by Paige Schwahn/The Republic
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